Councillors criticised as ‘outsiders get homes ahead of locals’

A county councillor has claimed he and some of his colleagues are being criticised by the public because of a new system which allows people to apply for local authority houses anywhere in Co Cork.

Councillor Joe Carroll said the Choice-Based Letting (CBL) online system of allocating vacant houses might be viewed as being successful by council officials but it was leading to disquiet in some communities.

Under the system, when a council house becomes vacant any person on the housing waiting list can apply for it, no matter where they live.